outrageous increase

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outrageous increase" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant and often shocking rise in something, such as prices, costs, or statistics. Example: "The outrageous increase in housing prices has made it difficult for many families to find affordable homes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Mr. Dudley called that "an outrageous increase at a time of the worst economy anyone has ever seen".

The New York Times

Last year's outrageous increase in American farming subsidies, and the cave-in at Cancún by American negotiators to their domestic cotton growers, made far more of an impression on poor countries than Washington's high-minded words about freer farm trade and rightly so.Europe was stymied not just by its desire to mollycoddle its own farmers, but by the EU's cumbersome decision-making process.

The Economist

Really, there are three issues for senators to consider: the outrageous increase in filibusters, so that virtually every bill requires 60 votes to pass; the fact that the last gentleman's agreement didn't work; and the possibility that if Mr. Reid changes the Senate rules with 51 votes, future majorities will use the same tactic.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The Chancellor, George Osborne told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I want a cut in the EU budget, David Cameron wants a cut in the EU budget" and both were determined to "end the outrageous increases in European spending".

BBC

Some readers emailed to complain about how outrageous the increase was, venting for paragraph after paragraph about how the Dodgers just care about making money.

Los Angeles Times

She called the proposals "despicable" and "outrageous" in increasing barriers to student debt forgiveness.

Huffington Post

Our patients are suffering mentally and physically from outrageous rate increases, and as the Hippocratic Oath makes clear, we must "keep them from harm and injustice".

Huffington Post

"Is anyone surprised that WellPoint intends another year of outrageous rate increases when no one has the power to open their books and make them explain how they're spending consumers' premiums?" Consumer Watchdog's Carmen Balber asked in a press release.

Huffington Post

Even Hillary Clinton waded in on the debate, branding the price increase "outrageous" and promising to "lay out a plan to take it on".

Independent

Failing to respond to this outrageous attack would increase the risk that chemical weapons could be used again".

BBC

"Failing to respond to this outrageous attack would increase the risk that chemical weapons could be used again, that they would fall into the hands of terrorists who might use them against us, and it would send a horrible signal to other nations that there would be no consequences for their use of these weapons.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "outrageous increase", ensure the context clearly establishes what is increasing and why it is considered unacceptable. Specific details add impact.

Common error

Avoid using "outrageous increase" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its strong connotation is better suited for serious discussions or formal complaints.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outrageous increase" functions primarily as a noun phrase where "outrageous" modifies "increase". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct. The adjective intensifies the noun to express strong disapproval of a substantial rise or growth in something.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outrageous increase" is a phrase used to express strong disapproval of a significant rise, often in prices or costs. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It's best suited for neutral and professional contexts, particularly news reporting or formal complaints. While synonymous alternatives exist, such as ""exorbitant rise"" or ""unjustifiable hike"", the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. This phrase carries significant emotional weight and is most impactful when supported by specific details to justify the strong condemnation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exorbitant rise

Replaces 'outrageous' with 'exorbitant', focusing on the excessive nature of the increase.

unjustifiable hike

Replaces 'outrageous' with 'unjustifiable', emphasizing the lack of valid reasons for the increase.

unconscionable escalation

Substitutes both words to highlight the moral unacceptability of the rise.

excessive surge

Emphasizes the degree of the increase with 'excessive' and uses 'surge' to convey a sudden rise.

scandalous upturn

Replaces 'outrageous' with 'scandalous', indicating the increase is shocking and morally offensive.

shocking jump

Focuses on the surprise and magnitude of the increase with 'shocking' and 'jump'.

unwarranted rise

Similar to "unjustifiable hike", but uses 'rise' instead of 'hike'.

egregious growth

Uses 'egregious' to emphasize the offensiveness of the increase and 'growth' as a more neutral term.

inordinate augmentation

Replaces the original words with more formal synonyms, resulting in a more clinical tone.

criminal inflation

Implicates illegality by using criminal which might not be applicable in all the cases.

FAQs

What does "outrageous increase" mean?

The phrase "outrageous increase" describes a rise or growth in something that is considered shockingly unacceptable or excessive, often due to being unfair or unreasonable.

How can I use "outrageous increase" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe price hikes (e.g., "The "outrageous increase" in tuition fees"), unexpected costs (e.g., "We faced an "outrageous increase" in medical bills"), or statistical data (e.g., "There was an "outrageous increase" in crime rates").

What can I say instead of "outrageous increase"?

You can use alternatives like "exorbitant rise", "unjustifiable hike", or "unconscionable escalation" depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "outrageous increase" formal or informal?

The phrase "outrageous increase" is generally considered relatively formal due to the strong emotional connotation of the adjective "outrageous". It is best suited for professional or news contexts.